Bypass feeder device

ABSTRACT

A device and method for chemicals to be fed into a water system, treating the water system as it enters, for example, a fire protection mains and/or fire protection systems (FPS) to protect and maintain the longevity of the water system preventing damages to the water system or enhancing the operation characteristics of the system. This device is a treatment system that may be installed as a portable or permanent device with chemicals such as, corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, polymeric dispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemical enhancing effects with means for injecting the chemicals into th fire protection system or a bypass feed system ( 20 ) utilizing the fluid means without the need for any electricity. Activation of the pump( 1 ) occurs when water enters the FPS mains and FPS sprinkler system from an outside source. Valving ( 22, 24 ) is included to isolate the pump and drums, storage tank to prevent backflow from the FPS.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This PCT application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofProvisional Application Ser. No. 61/372,704 filed on Aug. 11 , 2010entitled BYPASS FEEDER DEVICE and whose entire disclosure isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of fluid treatmentdevices and, more particularly, to water treatment devices for fireprotection mains or fire protection systems.

2. Description of Related Art

The treatment of water systems is known in the art, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,460,008 (O'Leary et al.); 4,464,315(O'Leary); 4,648,043 (O'Leary); 4,659,459 (O'Leary et al.); 5,696,696(Gunther, et al.); and 5,923,571 (Gunther, et al.). This includes thetreatment of water within fire sprinkler systems, such as those shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,803,180 (Talley); 6,221,263 (Pope, et al.); and6,406,618 (O'Leary).

However, despite the presence of such systems, there still remains aneed for treating fluid (e.g., water) systems, especially fire sprinkleror protection systems, using low cost, affordable chemical treatmentdevices and which are also highly accurate and repeatable. Furthermore,it is desirable for such a device to reduce its carbon footprint by notrequiring any electricity to operate.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus is disclosed for automatically feeding a precise amount ofat least one chemical (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents,polymeric dispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemicalenhancing effects, etc.) to a flow of a fluid system (e.g., municipal orbuilding fire sprinkler systems, cooling tower systems, boiler systems,waste water systems, metal-finishing systems, potable water systems,vehicle washing systems, agricultural applications, etc.). The apparatuscomprises: at least one pump (e.g., a non-electrically activated pump),coupled to at least one chemical container (e.g., pails, drums, tanks,totes and trucks, etc.), wherein the at least one pump draws an amountof the at least one chemical from the container that is directlyproportional to a volume of fluid entering the pump only when the pumpis exposed to the flow of the fluid system; an inlet valve for couplingan upstream side of the pump to the fluid system and an outlet valve forcoupling a downstream side of the pump to the fluid system to form abypass for diverting a portion of the fluid flow therethrough.

A method is disclosed for automatically feeding a precise amount of atleast one chemical (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents,polymeric dispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemicalenhancing effects, etc.) to a flow of a fluid system (e.g., municipal orbuilding fire sprinkler systems, cooling tower systems, boiler systems,waste water systems, metal-finishing systems, potable water systems,vehicle washing systems, agricultural applications, etc.). The methodcomprises: forming a bypass fluid path around a control valve or a pumpof a fluid system wherein the bypass fluid path includes at least onenon-electrically activated pump; coupling the at least onenon-electrically activated pump to at least one chemical container(e.g., pails, drums, tanks, totes and trucks, etc.); diverting a portionof a fluid from a main flow in the fluid system to flow through the atleast one non-electrically activated pump; drawing an amount of the atleast one chemical, through the at least one non-electrically activatedpump, from the at least one chemical container that is directlyproportional to a volume of fluid entering the at least onenon-electrically activated pump; mixing the drawn-in at least onechemical within the diverted fluid portion of the fluid system; andreturning the diverted fluid portion to the main flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bypass feeder device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cut-a-away view of the pump portion of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a series configuration of pumps in a firstembodiment of a bypass feeder device coupled to a fire sprinkler riser;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a series configuration of pumps in a secondembodiment of a bypass feeder device as part of a fire sprinkler systemusing a fire pump/jockey pump configuration;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the bypass feederdevice that can be permanently secured to a fire sprinkler riser;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the bypass feederdevice using a single pump that can be temporarily coupled to a firesprinkler riser and is portable;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of the bypass feederdevice using parallel pumps coupled to a fire sprinkler riser;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment of the bypass feederdevice using parallel sets of a plurality of pumps as part of a firesprinkler system using a fire pump/jockey pump configuration; and

FIG. 9 a block diagram of a seventh embodiment of the bypass feederdevice using a single pump that can be permanently secured to, ortemporarily coupled to, a fire pump/jockey pump configuration with thetemporarily coupled bypass feeder device being portable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a completely pneumatic device that requires noelectric energization in order to treat a fluid system (e.g., a firesprinkler system) with chemicals. The present invention offers severaladvantages over conventional fluid treatment systems especially byproviding a lower cost solution with precise repeatability. By treatingthese fluid systems with chemicals, the present invention seeks toprotect and maintain the longetivity of the fluid system, preventingdamage to the fluid system or enhancing the operation characteristics ofthe fluid system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bypass feeder device (BFD) 20 comprises severalcomponents, including at least one pump J, coupled together that diverta portion of a fluid flow to permit the automatic introduction ofchemicals, from chemical containers, into the overall fluid of a fluidsystem (e.g., municipal or building fire sprinkler systems, coolingtower systems, boiler systems, waste water systems, metal-finishingsystems, potable water systems, vehicle washing systems, agriculturalapplications, etc.) to which the BFD 20 is coupled. It should beunderstood that the BFD 20 can be a permanent installation to the fluidsystem or it can be a portable device that can be temporarily coupled tothe fluid system that is being chemically treated and then de-coupled;in the latter situation, when it becomes necessary to the treat thefluid system again, the BFD 20 can be re-coupled to the fluid system. Itshould be understood that the components specified in FIG. 1 are by wayof example only and are not limited to those components.

The chemicals (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, polymericdispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemical enhancingeffects, etc.) being added to these particular systems may vary. Forexample, for cooling tower systems, the injected chemicals may comprisebiocides, corrosion inhibitors and dispersants. For boiler systems,these chemicals may comprise deairator chemicals (e.g., oxygenscavengers), steam and condensates (e.g., pH adjustments). Forchilled/hot water systems, these chemicals may comprise corrosioninhibitors, biocides and pH adjustment chemicals. For waste watersystems, these chemicals may include polymers and flocculants. Formetal-finishing systems, the chemicals are typically acids, caustics,corrosion inhibitors and biocides. For potable water systems, thechemicals may comprise corrosion inhibitors for DWA (Drinking WaterApproved) product lines as well as chlorine and drinking watersterilants. These chemicals enhance the operation characteristics of thesystem, such as preventing corrosion, inhibiting, killing, cleaningand/or preventing microbiological-influenced corrosion.

The following discussion of the BFD 20 involves its use with firesprinkler systems by way of example only and it should be understood theuse of the BFD 20 has a wide variety of applications.

One of the key components of the BFD 20 is the pump J which operateswithout electricity, using fluid (e.g., water) pressure as the powersource. By way of example only, the pump J may comprise an A12-2.5%112421 water-driven metering pump, manufactured by Dosmatic U.S.A., Inc.of Carrollton, Tex. under the tradename MINIMS, or any otherwater-driven metering pumps. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the fluiddrives a motor piston 32 by entering a pump inlet 26, which pulls therequired percentage of the chemical (not shown) directly from thechemical container(s) (also not shown). Inside a mixing chamber 30 ofthe pump J, the chemical is mixed with the fluid and wherein thechemical does not come into contact with the pump motor 32. Once thechemical is mixed with the fluid in the mixing chamber 30, the fluidpressure forces the mixed solution downstream and out through a pumpoutlet 28. The amount of chemical is directly proportional to the volumeof fluid entering the pump J, regardless of variations in flow orpressure. As a result, there is no need to include sensors that monitorchemical levels in the overall system flow and then to have somecontroller make a determination to activate a pump to feed morechemicals into the fluid system. With no electric energization of theBFD 20, this further reduces the risk of fire or explosion since thereis no ignition source in the BFD 20 that can inadvertently ignite anyflammable chemicals that may be used or in the vicinity of the BFD 20when installed. In addition, the BFD 20 can be relied on to deliverchemical treatment without the concern for loss of any electrical powerthat can plague existing water treatment devices that require electricenergization. Because the BFD 20 requires no electricity to operate, its“carbon footprint” is also minimized, thereby making itenvironmentally-friendly.

Furthermore, the number of pumps J included in the BFD configurationdetermines the amount of chemical that can be introduced into the fluidsystem from the chemical container(s).

FIG. 1 shows the BFD 20 in detail using a single pump J, it beingunderstood that more than one pump J can be included, as will bediscussed shortly. An input ball valve 22 and an output ball valve 24provide the two endpoints for coupling the BFD 20 to any fluid systembeing treated. By way of example only, the input valve 22 is shown inFIG. 1 coupled to a nipple K/union A 10 of an existing fluid system;similarly, the output valve 24 is shown coupled to a nipple K/union A 12of that fluid system. Thus, a portion of the flow of fluid system isdiverted through, and returned through, the BFD 20 via these ball valves22/24, respectively. The pump J has its inlet port 26 and output ports28 coupled between unions O. A third port of the pump J is coupled tothe chemical container(s) for drawing the precise amount of chemicalsuch that it is directly proportional to the volume of fluid. The BFD 20can be secured to a surface (e.g., a 10GA steel plate) to permit the BFD20 to be easily manipulated during installation. In addition, the BFD 20comprises a filter H (e.g., a poly basket strainer), a pressurecontroller F (e.g., pressure regulator), an indicator D (e.g., apressure gauge), a drain R (e.g., a petcock) and a flush T (e.g., a hosebib). Although not shown, the BFD 20 may also include a water hammereliminator. Therefore, the BFD 20 may comprise a carrying means, afilter means, a pressure control means, a flow control means, a shut-offmeans, a delivery means, a draining means, a flushing means, anindicating means, a backflow means, a water hammer eliminating means, amixing means, a proportional fluid flow chemical feed pumping means anda connecting means to a fluid flow means.

It should be understood that the following is a listing of thecomponents shown in FIG. 1 and they are shown simply by way of exampleand not by way of limitation:

Reference No. Quantity Description A 2 1″ union B 2 1″ brass ball valveC 1 1″ elbow D 1 ABS Pressure gauge E 1 Conbraco 1″ line check valve F 1Watt's Pressure Regulator; Serial No. 0930W Range 25-75; Model # 25AUBZ3H 1 Basket Strainer I 1 12 GPM 1″ Valve, Dole Valve Company J 1 DosmaticMiniDos 2.5% 12 GPM Pump K 7 1″ × 2″ Nipple L 3 1″ × 3″ Nipple M 4 ¾″ ×2″ Nipple O 2 ¾″ Union P 2 1″ × ¾″ Bushing Q 2 1″ × 1″ × ¼″ Tee R 1 ¼″Petcock S 1 1″ × 1″ × ½″Tee T 1 ½″ Hose Bib U 6 Clamps

Items A, C, J, K, M, N, O, P, Q, and R include Ward Fittings.Furthermore, the steel plate in FIG. 1 is shown only by way of examplefor supporting the BFD and, although not shown, various components ofthe BFD are secured or clamped to the steel plate to support the BFDthereon. Thus, the use of the steel plate and its size does not, in anyway, limit the present invention to such use.

FIG. 3 depicts a first embodiment 20A of the BFD showing how it isinterfaced with a main riser of a fire sprinkler system via the ballvalves 22 and 24. In particular, BFD 20A comprises a pair (by way ofexample only) of series of pumps J1 and J2 that are both coupled tochemical containers via their third ports. With the BFD 20A coupled tothe main riser of the fire sprinkler system, when it necessary tochemically treat the fire sprinkler system, the operator closes the OS&Y(“outside stem and yoke”) or control valve and then drains (not shown),located in the downstream portion of the fire sprinkler system. Thispermits all of the water in the fire sprinkler system to be evacuated.The drains are then closed and the two ball valves 22 and 24 are thenopened, which permits the fluid to flow through the BFD 20A from thefluid source (not shown); in particular, the fluid enters from the lowerend of the fire sprinkler riser shown in FIG. 3. As the fluid flowsthrough the BFD 20, the pumps J1 and J2 draw in the precise andproportional amount of chemicals for treating the fire sprinkler system.When the fire sprinkler system is filled, the two ball valves 22 and 24are closed and then the OS&Y or control valve is re-opened. The firesprinkler system is now ready for use and has been properly treated withthe appropriate chemicals. Periodic checks are made to determine if thefire sprinkler system fluid requires another chemical treatment.

FIG. 4 depicts a second embodiment 20B of the BFD, using a series ofthree pumps J1-J3, and which is coupled in series with a jockey pump.Each of the pumps J1-J3 is coupled to chemical containers. In a jockeypump-style fire sprinkler system, a jockey pump is provided to alwaysmaintain a high pressure water supply in the fire sprinkler system;thus, the jockey pump maintains the fire pump in an “off” condition byproviding sufficient make-up fluid (e.g., due to downstream leaks) whennecessary while also feeding the proper amount of chemicals when thejockey pump is turned on. When this configuration 20B is initiallyinstalled, the fire pump is turned off The BFD 20B is then coupled tothe fire sprinkler system, as shown in FIG. 4. In this configuration,the pumps J1-J3 (three, by way of example only) are coupled to thesuction (i.e., upstream) side of the jockey pump. The fire sprinklersystem is then filled only by way of the jockey pump bypass path, whilethese pumps J1-J3 draw in the precise and proportional amount ofchemicals. Once the fire sprinkler system is filled, the fire pump isthen turned back on. At this point, whenever the jockey pump isactivated (e.g., a leak occurs downstream, etc.), the pumps J1-J3 willexperience the inflow from the jockey pump and will draw in the preciseand proportional amount of chemical, from the chemical containers, tofeed the flow passing through the jockey pump.

FIG. 5 depicts a third embodiment 20C of the BFD which can bepermanently connected to the main riser of a fire sprinkler system, orwhich is portable such that the BFD 20C can be coupled to the main riseronly when needed. The third embodiment 20C uses a single pump J1 that iscoupled to the chemical containers via the pump's third port. Treatmentof this fire sprinkler system follows the same process described abovefor FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is similar to the BFD of FIG. 5 but in this fourth configuration20D, the BFD is portable and can be temporarily coupled to the fluidsystem on an “as needed” basis. Treatment of this fire sprinkler systemfollows the same process described above for FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 depicts a fifth configuration 20E of the BFD that utilizes two(by way of example only) parallel paths with two (also by way of exampleonly) pumps (i.e., J1-J2 and J3-J4) in each path for treating the mainriser in a fire sprinkler system. Operation of this treatment system issimilar to those described for FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 depicts a sixth embodiment 20F of the BFD that utilizes parallelpaths with a plurality (e.g., three, by way of example only) pumps(i.e., J1-J3 and J4-J6) in each path and which is inserted on thesuction side of a jockey pump. Operation of this treatment system issimilar to those described in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 depicts a seventh embodiment 20G of the BFD that utilizes eithera permanent connection or a temporary connection of the pump J1 to thesuction side of the jockey pump path of a fire sprinkler system.Operation of this treatment system is similar to those described forFIG. 4.

It should be understood that the phrase “chemical container(s)” coversany and all types of storage such as but not limited to pails, drums,tanks, totes and trucks for at least one or more chemicals capable ofmaintaining the longevity of the fluid system by preventing damage tothe fluid system or enhancing the operation characteristics of the fluidsystem, such as, but not limited to, the prevention of corrosion,inhibiting, killing, cleaning, preventing microbiological influencedcorrosion.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for automatically feeding a preciseamount of at least one chemical to a flow of a fluid system, saidapparatus comprising: at least one pump, coupled to at least onechemical container, said at least one pump drawing an amount of the atleast one chemical from said container that is directly proportional toa volume of fluid entering said pump only when said pump is exposed tothe flow of said fluid system; an inlet valve for coupling an upstreamside of said pump to said fluid system and an outlet valve for couplinga downstream side of said pump to said fluid system to form a bypass fordiverting a portion of the fluid flow therethrough.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said pump comprises a motor piston and a mixing chamber,said motor piston drawing in said amount of said at least one chemicalfrom said container caused by pressure in the fluid flow and whereinsaid mixing chamber mixes said drawn-in chemical within the fluid flow.3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet valve and said outletvalve are fixedly secured to said upstream and downstream sides of saidfluid system, respectively.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidinlet valve and said outlet valve are temporarily coupled to saidupstream and downstream sides of said fluid system, respectively, andwherein said apparatus is portable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid at least one chemical container comprises at least one chemicalfrom the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents,cleaning agents, polymeric dispersants, biocides and biostatic agents.6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow system comprises onefrom the group of fire protection mains, fire risers, fire headers, fireloops, city water piping and hoses.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid at least one pump comprises a plurality of series pumps locatedbetween said inlet and said outlet valves, each of said pumps beingcoupled to a plurality of chemical containers.
 8. The apparatus of claim7 wherein said apparatus is coupled around a control valve or a pump ofa fluid system.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least onepump is coupled in series with a jockey pump and which are coupled inparallel with a fire pump of a fire protection system.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9 wherein said at least one pump comprises a plurality ofseries pumps and wherein each of said series pumps are coupled to aplurality of chemical containers.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid at least one pump comprises a first set of series pumps and asecond set of series pumps arranged in parallel, said first and secondset of series pumps being positioned between said inlet and said outletvalves and wherein each of said pumps are coupled to a plurality ofchemical containers.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said at leastone pump comprises a first set of series pumps and a second set ofseries pumps arranged in parallel, said first and second set of seriespumps being positioned between said inlet and said outlet valves andwherein each of said pumps are coupled to a plurality of chemicalcontainers.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one leastone chemical container may comprise one of a group of pails, drums,tanks, totes and trucks.
 14. A method for automatically feeding aprecise amount of at least one chemical to a flow of a fluid system,said method comprising: forming a bypass fluid path around a controlvalve or a pump of a fluid system wherein said bypass fluid pathincludes at least one non-electrically activated pump; coupling said atleast one non-electrically activated pump to at least one chemicalcontainer; diverting a portion of a fluid from a main flow in the fluidsystem to flow through said at least one non-electrically activatedpump; drawing an amount of the at least one chemical, through said atleast one non-electrically activated pump, from said at least onechemical container that is directly proportional to a volume of fluidentering said at least one non-electrically activated pump; mixing saiddrawn-in at least one chemical within said diverted fluid portion of thefluid system; and returning said diverted fluid portion to said mainflow.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said at least one chemicalcomprises one chemical from the group consisting of corrosioninhibitors, wetting agents, cleaning agents, polymeric dispersants,biocides and biostatic agents.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein thefluid flow system comprises one from the group of fire protection mains,fire risers, fire headers, fire loops, city water piping and hoses. 17.The method of claim 14 wherein said step of forming a bypass fluid pathcomprises forming bypass fluid path that is temporary and is portable.18. The method of claim 14 wherein said fluid system comprises a mainriser of a fire protection system and having a control valve acrosswhich said bypass path is formed and wherein said method comprises:closing said control valve to divert said portion of the fluid throughsaid bypass path; passing said portion of the fluid through said atleast one non-electrically-activated pump; drawing an amount of the atleast one chemical, through said at least one non-electrically activatedpump, from said at least one chemical container that is directlyproportional to a volume of fluid entering said at least onenon-electrically activated pump; mixing said drawn-in at least onechemical within said diverted fluid portion of the fluid system; andreturning said diverted fluid portion to said main riser.
 19. The methodof claim 18 wherein said at least one non-electrically activated pumpcomprises a plurality of series non-electrically activated pumps in saidbypass path and wherein each of said plurality of seriesnon-electrically activated pumps is coupled to a plurality of chemicalcontainers.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein said at least onenon-electrically activated pump comprises a first set of seriesnon-electrically activated pumps and a second set of seriesnon-electrically activated pumps arranged in parallel, said first andsecond set of series pumps positioned in said bypass path and whereineach of said pumps are coupled to a plurality of chemical containers.21. The method of claim 14 wherein said fluid system comprises a fireprotection system that includes a jockey pump that is in parallelconfiguration with a main fire pump and wherein said method comprises:configuring said at least one non-electrically activated pump in serieswith the jockey pump; deactivating the main fire pump to divert saidportion of the fluid through said jockey pump and through said at leastone non-electrically activated pump; drawing an amount of the at leastone chemical, through said at least one non-electrically activated pump,from said at least one chemical container that is directly proportionalto a volume of fluid entering said at least one non-electricallyactivated pump; mixing said drawn-in at least one chemical within saiddiverted fluid portion of the fluid system; returning said divertedfluid portion to said fire protection system; and activating the mainfire pump.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein said at least onenon-electrically activated pump remains permanently coupled in serieswith the jockey pump in order to inject said at least one chemical intothe fire sprinkler system whenever the jockey pump causes a divertedfluid portion to move through said at least one non-electricallyactivated pump.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein said at least onenon-electrically activated pump is coupled to a suction side of thejockey pump.
 24. The method of claim 21 wherein said at least onenon-electrically activated pump comprises at least two seriesnon-electrically activated pumps coupled in series with the jockey pumpand wherein each of said at least two series non-electrically activatedpumps is coupled to a plurality of chemical containers.
 25. The methodof claim 21 wherein said at least one non-electrically activated pumpcomprises a first set of series non-electrically activated pumps and asecond set of series non-electrically activated pumps arranged inparallel, said first and second set of series pumps positioned in serieswith the jockey pump and wherein each of said pumps are coupled to aplurality of chemical containers.
 26. The method of claim 14 whereinsaid at least one least one chemical container may comprise one of agroup of pails, drums, tanks, totes and trucks.